Energy Transition – The Role of the National Grid
The Energy Transition Group
The National Grid is at the core of the UK's electricity system. It is evolving to support changes in electricity generation and consumption patterns. This event uncovers the inner workings of the Grid, its role in the energy transition and what the future holds.
Key takeaways
- Gain a deeper understanding of the National Grid and its constituent parts, and its role in the energy transition
- Explore our connections to the National Grid and how its evolution affects our daily lives, and how we might influence it
- Appreciate the challenges and opportunities that arise from the structure of the National Grid
You will hear from
Charles Hendry HonFIMMM
Former UK Minister of Energy
Charles held the position of Minister of State for Energy from 2010-2012. Following this term, he was appointed as the Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan by former Prime Minister David Cameron. He was awarded the CBE in Her Majesty the Queen's 2019 Birthday Honours for their work in advancing British Trade in Russia and Central Asia. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh Business School and a Visiting Professor at the Mining University of St Petersburg. Charles also holds a variety of leadership positions at various institues and chambers of commerce.
Stuart Cook
Managing Director, Complete Strategy
Stuart has worked in the energy industry for over 36 years, advising on strategy and regulation. He is a former member of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA, the official governing board of Ofgem). At Ofgem, he led on energy network policy. Subsequently, he was PwC's Head of Utility Strategy & Regulation.
Complete Strategy is joining forces with Flint Global on 1 July 2026. Flint is a leading provider of political, policy, regulatory, competition and economic advice. It supports companies and investors in European and global markets.
Henry Oughton IEng AIMMM (Session Chair)
Consultant, Frazer-Nash Consultancy
Henry is an Incorporated Materials Engineer and Consultant at Frazer-Nash Consultancy. Over his career, he has lead multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure, nuclear and assurance programmes, helping to solve some of the technical, operational and strategic challenges involved in maintaining and improving the critical infrastructure underpinning the UK's energy system.
As a leader within the IOM3's Energy Transition Group, he co-authored IOM3's first policy paper on the energy transition. He also leads the group's educational outreach activities, promoting engineering and materials science as an integral part of a net-zero future.
Event format
This 1-hour webinar will provide an overview of the National Grid, its role in the energy transition, and how it may evolve in the coming years. It will feature an introduction by IOM3, covering the wider energy transition webinar series. Following this, both speakers will bring a fascinating perspective. They have supported energy policy and execution in the UK for many years. Gain insider knowledge from the early days of the energy transition to the modern period, with its unique challenges.
Expect a lively, interactive debate exploring rapid and disruptive change in a national asset, that is responsible for delivering a reliable supply of electricity to every corner of the UK.
The session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A, where you will have an opportunity to pose questions to the panelists.
Why Attend?
The energy transition is a global priority that impacts industry, policy, science, and careers across multiple technical disciplines. This session supports a rich and nuanced discussion on the energy transition, related challenges and opportunities, and how it can support a more sustainable future.